Australia only faced four runners in the Classic and two of those were stable companions, but Lyons has questioned where all the big-money purchases from the sales two years ago have ended up.

Writing on his Facebook page, Lyons said: "A lot of negative stuff has been written about the Irish Derby since Australia won on Saturday but no one has asked the one pertinent question in my opinion.

"That is where have all the 'big' pedigree horses from Tatts Book 1 and Goffs Orby Sales gone?

"These sales are very hard to buy at as all the powerhouse outfits dominate proceedings. But what have they done with their purchases? They give it loads about what nice horses they are and how they justify their huge price tags. But where do they disappear to?

"So don't blame those that turned up last Saturday but question those that didn't."